The Mars Global Pet Parent Study draws on insights from more than 20,000 pet parents (dog and cat owners) across 20 countries to understand generational differences, the most common breeds, and pain points. We delve into the evolving needs of pet parents, including new insights. Pet parents all over the world are experiencing it today.
At a time when pet ownership is known to be on the rise and people consider pets to be one of the most important things in life, this result shows that the emotional bond between pet parents and their pets has never been stronger. This suggests a new era where pet parents are the focus.
“Nearly half (47%) of those surveyed were first-time pet owners, marking the beginning of a new era for pet parents,” said Ikdeep Singh, global president of Mars Pet Nutrition. “We know that pet parents are evolving, and we need to evolve with them, which means building pet parent-centricity into our DNA to transform the experience and It means building lifelong relationships with the 455 million pets and pet parents we touch.”
One of the highlights of the study focuses on sustainability. Research shows that 45% of pet parents consider sustainability an important consideration when purchasing pet food. It was noted that sentiment towards sustainability is particularly strong among Generation Z (Gen Z), indicating a shift towards more sustainable and ethically produced products.
Puppies and kittens, male vs. female
According to the survey, pet parents are clearly devoted to their pets, with more than a third (37%) of dog and cat owners believing their pets are the most important thing in their lives. This percentage is even higher for Gen Z (45%) and Millennials (40%).
They tend to prefer kittens and puppies, with 84% of dogs and cats being kept under 12 months of age. The most common dog breeds in the world are Labradors (6%), Chihuahuas (6%), and Golden Retrievers (5%), and the most common cat breeds in the world are Persians (16%). ), British Shorthair (11%), and Siamese. (9%).
Cat ownership is now more common than dog ownership around the world, with more men owning cats (52% of men and 48% of women). The decision to get a pet is heavily influenced by those closest to you, with family (26%) as the main influence, followed by friends (21%), social media (13%), and online searches (13%). ), followed by veterinarians (11%). %).
Dogs and cats play a vital role in their parents’ lives. Among those who are satisfied with their pets, dog owners rate unconditional love (50%) and family fulfillment (49%) higher, while cat owners rate the value their four-legged friends bring them higher. They value entertainment (48%) and stress relief (44%). But being a pet parent also comes with challenges. 32% feel guilty about leaving their dog or cat alone, only 42% feel their neighborhood is very pet-friendly, and an additional 26% of pet parents travel He claims to have found an idea. With demanding/challenging pets.
“We are always working on the next big challenge in pet parenting and are using the insights gained from this research to continually innovate and adapt to solve pet parent pain points. ” said Singh. “Pet parents are not born, they are born, which is why we must ensure they have the advice, guidance and support they need at every step of their journey.”
About the research: Mars commissioned Ipsos to survey more than 20,000 dog/cat owners and non-owners (minimum of 500 cat parents and 500 dog parents in each market) across 20 markets. We conducted an online survey. Markets include Canada, United States, Mexico, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Poland, Brazil, South Africa, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, China, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.
According to the Pet Food Industry’s Top Companies Database, Mars Petcare’s annual revenue in 2023 reached USD 20 billion. However, since the company is privately held, this number is an estimate. Mars Petcare is one of the top two pet food companies. The company has nearly 50 pet food brands, including several billion-dollar brands.
Created based on press release.
